Apple's Going Exclusive for the Next iPhone's A13 Chip

Don’t worry, the iPhone XS and the iPhone XR are safe to purchase. But don’t think Apple’s not getting ready for its 2019 models. Once new models are released, Apple returns right back to the drawing board.

iPhone models for next year are already in the planning phase, and it seems like Apple chose its supplier for the flagship chip. Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company (TSMC), according to DigiTimes, reached an exclusive agreement with Apple. While the Cupertino-based company will continue handling development, TSMC reportedly has sole rights to all A13 chip orders.

The orders in the past were split between several companies. However, TSMC gained exclusivity with Apple in 2016. Apple prefers its advanced, reliable technology. Yet there will still be an opportunity for AMD, Huawei, MediaTek NVIDIA, and Qualcomm to work with TSMC on 7nm-based chips.

TSMC claimed 56% of the “global pure-play foundry market” in the first half of 2018, the report says.

Expect to see the A13 chip arrive in Apple’s new iPhone and iPad models near the end of next year. And, because we’re in a ‘toc’ year, the 2019 lineup should make significant breakthroughs on all fronts. Apple should announce everything in the Fall of 2019 if it follows its usual release pattern.